Two-time Grammy winner Cissy Houston, mother of the late Whitney Houston, dies at 91

Cissy Houston, a two-time Grammy award winning gospel singer and the mother of the late-Whitney Houston, died on Monday at the age of 91, according to her daughter-in-law Pat Houston.

The award-winning singer, who previously sang back-up for Elvis Presley, Bette Middler, and Aretha Franklin, was under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease in her New Jersey home, and was surrounded by loved ones at the time of her death, according to NBC News.

“Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,” Pat Houston shared in a statement. “Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community."

"Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts," she continued. "Her contributions to popular music and culture are unparalleled. We are blessed and grateful that God allowed her to spend so many years with us and we are thankful for all the many valuable life lessons that she taught us."

The acclaimed singer won her first Grammy in 1997 for her album “Face to Face,” which won best traditional soul gospel album. She later won the same award again in 1999 for her “He Leadeth Me" album.

Houston, who was the youngest of eight children, came from a musical family including nieces Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, daughter Whitney, and cousin Leontyne Price, who is an opera singer.

“On behalf of The Houston Family, we are touched by your generous support, and your outpouring of love during our profound time of grief,” the family said in a separate statement. “We respectfully request our privacy during this difficult time.”

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.